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Story: Screen industry

Once were warriors

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During the 1990s there were several outstandingly successful New Zealand productions – Once were warriors (1994) was one of them. Produced by Communicado and directed by ex-television commercial maker Lee Tamahori, the film won numerous awards and was one of New Zealand’s highest grossing films at the time. Watch this video about the making of the film.

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NZ On Screen

Reference: Once were warriors - behind the scenes. Producer, Robin Scholes; director, Lee Tamahori; writer, Riwia Brown. Communicado, 1994.

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How to cite this page

Megan Cook, Screen industry – Screen industry growth, 1970s to 1990s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/44158/once-were-warriors (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Megan Cook, published 11 February 2014.